About the collection
“Pigot & Co.’s New Commercial Directory of Scotland for 1825 – 1826
Containing comprehensive and accurate Directories of Edinburgh, Glasgow and every other Town, Sea-Port, & Village in the Kingdom; To which is Pre-fixed, Separate Historical and Descriptive Sketches, each of which has been written, revised, and authenticated on the spot, exclusively for this work.”
“The names of Merchants, Manufacturers, and Traders in Edinburgh, Glasgow and all the other Towns, are scientifically classed and arranged under each distinct head of trade or designation, and a full Alphabetical list is annexed where the names in Towns are so numerous as to require a reference – the Lists of the Coaches, Carriers and Water Conveyances are copious and complete - and the names of the Nobility, Gentry, and Clergy, in the Cities, Towns, and Villages in Scotland are exclusively arranged in Alphabetical order, to refer more speedily to any name when the place of residence is not known.”
The description for Scotland notes among many interesting historical facts, “The population according to the census of 1821 was 2,093,456, so that there are nearly 71 inhabitants to each square mile”, in under 200 years the population has more than doubled. It is estimated that the density of population in Scotland today is 5,222,100 with nearly 171 inhabitants per square mile. |
Pigot goes on to describe Scotland in almost poetic tones as the idyllic country we know today “…verdant plains, watered by copious streams and covered with innumerable cattle; in others pleasing vicissitudes of gently rising hills and bending vales, fertile in corn, waving with wood, and interspersed with flowery meadows. Throughout the whole extent of the coast there are fine fisheries, which employ a vast number of hands, and furnish a hardy and skilful race of seamen for the British navy – The country abounds with rivers and lakes, which are in general very pure and transparent, and abound with fish.”
As well as describing the landscape and general topography Pigot mentions the main industries, the minerals and the raw materials found together with the skills and trades of the area or town.
Another interesting mention is “Most of the gems and precious stones, with the exception of the diamond, have also been found in Scotland”.
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